Bookish Resolutions for the New Year
Every January, I find myself swept up in the promise of a fresh start. Like many, I resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, and become better organized. But let’s be honest—some resolutions are easier to stick with than others. The ones that truly bring me joy? They’re always tied to my favorite hobby: reading. That’s why I love setting bookish resolutions. These goals aren’t about restrictions or pressure—they’re about enhancing the experience of getting lost in a great story and making time for the books that I truly enjoy.
This year, I’m focusing on meaningful bookish resolutions. Whether it’s reading more intentionally, exploring new genres, or simply carving out extra time for my TBR, I want my goals to inspire me to grow as a reader. Resolutions don’t have to be daunting—they can be fun, fulfilling, and even spark creativity. If you’re looking to refresh your reading habits or set new literary goals, join me as I dive into ideas and tips to make this your most rewarding reading year yet.
After all, the beauty of bookish resolutions is that they’re entirely personal. Whether you’re a casual reader or someone who devours books daily, there’s always room to tailor your goals to fit your unique journey. Let’s turn the page on last year and make this year’s reading experience the best one yet!
My Reading Habits Last Year
How I Lost Track of My Reading in 2024
In 2024, I completely lost track of my reading, leaving me with only a patchy sense of my accomplishments. I devoured countless books on Kindle Unlimited but barely logged any of them on Goodreads. To make things more chaotic, I created a second Goodreads account to transition from my personal profile to one for this blog. The result? Total confusion about my reading stats. According to Kindle Unlimited, I read over 150 books, but that doesn’t include physical books or audiobooks. If I had to guess, my total reading count for the year was closer to 200—a number I wish I’d tracked more accurately!
Books I Meant to Read but Didn’t
Another habit that defined my reading year was neglecting the books I already owned or had downloaded on my Kindle. Like many readers, I’m easily distracted by shiny new releases and am very much a mood reader. I often bought or downloaded books with the full intention of diving in right away, only to get swept up by another book that caught my eye shortly afterward. This left me with an ever-growing backlog of unread books that I still need to revisit.
Rediscovering Libraries After Moving
Despite these challenges, I did pick up a new habit that I’m really proud of. In 2024, I made a big move from Texas to the UK to live where my husband is from. I rediscovered libraries and began borrowing books weekly after my move. One of the best things about where we live now is that our local library is only a two-minute walk away—dangerously close, honestly. Within a week of getting settled, I signed up for a library card and have been borrowing books like wild ever since. It’s been so fun rediscovering libraries and making them a regular part of my reading routine!
My Bookish Resolutions for 2025
Explore New Genres
This year, I’ll branch out and explore mysteries, thrillers, and historical fiction. I’ve stayed in my comfort zone (romance and fantasy) too long. It’s time to shake things up and discover new favorites! If you’re a fan of these genres, I’d love to hear from you—drop your favorite books in the comments and help me build my TBR!
Make Time for My Ignored Books
There are so many books I meant to read in 2024 that I kept putting off. Case in point: the last three books of the Throne of Glass series. Once I finally tackle those, I’ll officially be caught up on all of Sarah J. Maas’s current releases, which feels like a major milestone. But let’s be real—my Kindle and bookcase are packed with books patiently waiting for their turn. To hold myself accountable, I plan to blog each month about the previously ignored books I finally read. Wish me luck!
Join a Book Club
Since moving to a new place, I’ve realized how much I miss having a bookish community. Right now, I only know my husband’s friends and family, and while they’re wonderful, I’d love to connect with people who share my love of reading. Joining a local book club seems like the perfect way to diversify my reading and make new friends.
Reduce Book Buying Guilt
One of my proudest habits from 2024 was embracing my local library, and I’m fully committed to keeping it up in 2025. Before buying any book, I’ll check if it’s available at the library first. If it’s not, I’ll think twice about whether I really need it—unless it’s on Kindle Unlimited, in which case, it’s fair game. By leaning more on the library and less on impulse purchases, I hope to feel less guilty about the stack of unread books I already own.
Try Different Apps to Track Reading
I enjoy tracking books on Goodreads, but I’m excited to try new apps like StoryGraph and Bookly this year. These apps offer features like mood-based recommendations and detailed tracking, which could improve my reading habits. Exploring new tools might help me stay consistent. Have a favorite app? Share your recommendations in the comments—I’d love to discover new ways to track my books!
Focus on My Bookstagram
This year, I’m putting more energy into growing and curating my Bookstagram, @imsoenchantedtoreadyou. Sharing my love of books on Instagram has been such a creative outlet, and I want to make it a space that’s both inspiring and authentic. From posting themed reading lists and mini-reviews to experimenting with fun photo styles and engaging with the bookish community, I’m excited to bring more personality and passion to my account. I’ll also be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of my reading life, participating in bookish challenges, and connecting with fellow readers. If you love books and beautiful bookish content, I’d love for you to follow along!
Wrapping Up: My 2025 Bookish Resolutions
Exploring new ways to enhance our reading lives is one of the joys of being a book lover, and setting bookish resolutions is the perfect way to start the year with intention. Whether it’s diving into new genres, tackling long-ignored books, joining a book club, or experimenting with apps to track your reading, these goals can bring variety, excitement, and structure to your literary adventures. For me, 2025 is all about embracing change, discovering new favorites, and building connections within the bookish community.
What are your bookish resolutions this year? Are there apps, genres, or habits you’re planning to try? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments! Share your goals, recommendations, or the books you’re most excited to read this year. Let’s inspire each other to make 2025 our best reading year yet. Don’t forget to follow along here for monthly updates on my progress, book reviews, and more reading inspiration!
